Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham: Player ratings as Gabriel stars for Gunners in North London derby win

Arsenal completed a North London derby double with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night. 

The Gunners grabbed a 1-0 win away from home in the reverse fixture back in September, but went a goal behind after 25 minutes here as a Son Heung-min volley was deflected beyond David Raya.

However, just 19 minutes later, Arsenal were ahead, first equalising from another corner as Gabriel forced a mix-up between Radu Dragusin and Dominic Solanke, with the latter scoring an own goal. Leandro Trossard then dispatched an excellent finish to give the Gunners a half-time lead they would ultimately go on to maintain.

Arsenal return to second in the table and are now just four points behind leaders Liverpool, while Spurs slip to 13th in the table, 14 points adrift of the Champions League places and only eight clear of the relegation zone.

Arsenal vs Tottenham player ratings

Arsenal

David Raya: 66%

Made a great stop to deny Kulusevski, only to see Son open the scoring a minute later, although it was a volley that took a deflection, not helping the Spaniard. Pretty secure performance otherwise.

Jurrien Timber: 67%

Solid on the ball and defended well for the most part. Got forward well when he had the chance and put some dangerous balls into the box.

William Saliba: 68%

Ice cold on the ball, as usual, completing more passes than any other Arsenal player (51). 15 of those passes went into the final third, while he also completed seven of his eight long passes. Saliba was dominant defensively, too, winning all four of his aerial duels while making one tackle, two clearances, two interceptions and six recoveries.

Gabriel: 68%

The master of corners strikes again, even if he didn’t actually score this time. Instead, Gabriel’s surging run to the far post forced the mistake from Dragusin, who could only head the ball into the unlucky Solanke. Like Saliba, Gabriel was perfect in the air (3/3) and came up with a host of important blocks and tackles.

The best player on the pitch.

Myles Lewis-Skelly: 64%

Continues to show composure well beyond his years, completing all but two of his 32 attempted passes. Made four tackles, two clearances, one interception and six recoveries in a rock-solid defensive display. Arsenal have a real talent on their hands here.

Martin Odegaard: 77%

Created a match-high four chances, one of which was converted into a goal by Trossard. Arsenal are just a different side when Odegaard is on form and tonight, he was near his best.

Thomas Partey: 61%

Has endured a couple of poor performances recently but was back at it here, biting into four tackles, one of which dispossessed Bissouma to kick-start the break for Arsenal’s second goal. Calm and composed on the ball.

Declan Rice: 65%

Used the ball well to keep Arsenal moving forward at every opportunity and did well defensively to shut down Spurs attacks. Tested Kinsky with a good effort from distance in the second half and delivered the corner for Arsenal’s equaliser.

Raheem Sterling: 55%

Took up some decent positions and was busy, without ever really worrying Spurs too much. Was more effective in his work out of possession, making five tackles, two clearances, two recoveries and one interception. Subbed after an hour.

Kai Havertz: 51%

Missed a couple more good chances and is now three games without a goal. To Havertz’s credit, though, he kept Tottenham’s centre-backs busy with some good battling qualities and hard work.

Leandro Trossard: 67%

Took his goal brilliantly to put Arsenal in the lead and was lively all match, attempting three shots and creating one chance, while completing two of his four dribbles. Also had 10 touches in the opposition box and probably should have had more than one goal. Trossard will just be happy to see his 11-game drought come to an end.

Tottenham

Antonin Kinsky: 63%

Will be disappointed with Trossard’s goal after letting the ball go beyond him despite getting a hand to it. Still, managed a couple more decent saves to keep Spurs in the game.

Pedro Porro: 60%

Struggled to influence the game going forward until later on, which is where he’s at his best. Made a few timely interventions to stop Arsenal from furthering their advantage. Hit the outside of the post with a phenomenal shot from the wing right at the end.

Radu Dragusin: 56%

Battled hard defensively but will be desperately disappointed with his efforts on the Arsenal equaliser, failing to keep track of Gabriel and then diverting the ball onto Solanke for an own goal. Doesn’t look assured in possession, which is an important quality for a Postecoglou centre-back.

Archie Gray: 51%

Continues to show composure under immense pressure at just 18 years old. The young defender made six clearances, five recoveries and one interception to slow down an Arsenal onslaught, while completing a match-high 59 passes.

Djed Spence: 55%

Ineffective with the ball, thanks in no small part to being on his weaker side. Kept at it defensively and worked hard. Doing a good job considering the lack of football he had earlier in the season.

Yves Bissouma: 38%

Dispossessed in midfield in the build-up to Trossard’s goal in what was a poor first half by his standards. Overrun at times and often didn’t look like he wanted the ball. Hooked at half-time.

Pape Sarr: 43%

Barely laid a glove on Arsenal and didn’t get into the game at all. Like Bissouma, was brought off at half-time.

Lucas Bergvall: 54%

Won more duels (9) than any other player on the pitch and made six tackles, five clearances, two blocks, two recoveries and an interception. Doesn’t look out of place on a Premier League football pitch or in a North London derby, despite his tender age. Great composure on the ball as well, completing 92% of his passes and creating one chance.

Dejan Kulusevski: 59%

Tottenham’s bright spark, creating four chances and playing five passes into the final third, but probably should have scored with a close-range chance in the 22nd minute.

Dominic Solanke: 43%

Unlucky to be credited with an own goal, with Dragusin the man at fault. Had the least touches (24) of any player to complete 90 minutes, which demonstrates just how isolated he was at times.

Son Heung-min: 62%

A well-controlled strike for his goal, even if it did take a deflection on the way. Kept trying to take the game to Arsenal but he still just looks half a yard off his best. Remains the man for Tottenham’s big moments, though.

James Maddison: 72%

Brought on at half-time and upped Tottenham’s tempo without really threatening to open up Arsenal.

Brennan Johnson: 51%

Joined Maddison as a half-time substitute but failed to change the game.

How do Squawka player ratings work?

Squawka’s new player rating system is wholly stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.

We tailored each score to the players’ respective positions using extensive research and expertise. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes, etc.